Coaming balancing act

[jerryg]

Hi again,

I am building a LongShot. I am getting near the time of installing the coaming, but I have a few questions.

1) The plans seem to indicate that the coaming rests on two points only, the front and back center deck stringer. This seems to be rather precarious when trying to tighten it down for sewing. Does anyone ever have a problem doing this?

2) Since the sides of the coaming don't seem to rest on anything, once the tension is released (i.e. after sewing), are the sides stable enough to take any weight going in and out of the boat, or do they flex at all going in and out?

Thanks.

[Kudzu]

That is exactly what it does, balances on two points... but, once it is skinned and as long as you install it as I describe, it's not going to go anywhere. Depending on your coaming material and thickness, etc. it is going to flex when you put any weight on it. But that shouldn't be a problem.

The plans should have had a set of brackets that you add if needed to support the side of the coamings. I rarely ever use them with my laminated coaming. Just haven't been needed.

[paxtonm]

So Jeff, you're saying that the brackets in the Vardo plans are probably unnecessary? I've laminated my coaming out of maple, and it's getting stitched in tomorrow. Then I was gonna install the brackets, using stainless screws and nyloc nuts with washers to distribute the load. My weight teeters between 200 and 210, depending on ... well, you know.

[jerryg]

Thanks, Jeff. Much appreciated.

Hey Paxton: Could I ask how thick your maple coaming is? I've built one myself but it seems awfully rigid and I am concerned about how much pressure it is going to require to flex. Thanks.

[paxtonm]

I'll measure it when I get home, but mine's pretty darn stiff. Way I see it, that's a good thing. The way Jeff shows to do it is to horse down on the thing with a ratcheting strap. I'm going to give it a go Saturday.

Mark

[paxtonm]

Lip is 18 mm and the bottom part is 8 mm. As I said, it's a strong one.

[Kudzu]

If your coaming is stiff enough, then no they are not necessary. They are just to keep from over bending the coaming and possibly leading to a stress crack. Nice thing is you can add them latter on. Not exactly easy but very doable.